Some are religious retreats, places of natural energy, or must-see places if you are a religious pilgrim, a history buff, or simply looking for somewhere peaceful. These places are often spiritual destinations, natural temples or places of mystical importance.

Secrets of Fatima

Here in Portugal, Fatima is one of the most esteemed Catholic locations in the whole world. Every year, it welcomes about 6 million people - pilgrims, tourists and the curious - and is located in centre region of Portugal. Many people choose to visit in search of comfort and hope. Fatima and the areas that surround it kept beautiful secrets. Briefly, on May 13, 1917, a vision of the Virgin Mary appeared to three shepherd children named Lucia, Jacinta and Francisco in a place called Cova da Iria, and entrusted three secrets to the children, which, according to various Catholic interpretations, involved Hell, World Wars I and II, and 20th-century persecutions of Christians.

This is a most important destination for the Christian faith, and a pilgrimage location full of spirituality and a meeting point for believers.


Ayers Rock

Now called Uluru, this is a spiritual destination in the centre of Australia. Being 450km from the nearest large town, Alice Springs, it’s remote and is an enormous 348m high sandstone monolith and a natural phenomenon that is said to have formed underwater 60 million years ago. It is a significant and respected Aboriginal site, believed to be the resting place for the past ancient spirits of the region, and remains protected by the Aboriginals (Australia’s original inhabitants). The colossal rock changes colour through the day, turning a stunning bright red at sunset and sunrise, and being a sacred place for the Anangu people, it’s now not possible for people to spoil it by climbing on it. The location isn’t easy to reach, but the hundreds who visit this important spiritual site can see some of the remarkable caves and rock art, and it’s said that a trip to Uluru is good for the soul, as well as the mind.


Knock Shrine

In the little village of Knock in Ireland in 1879, the local priest’s housekeeper claimed she saw 3 life-sized figures on the gable end of the church, and witnesses claimed it was an apparition of Mary, Saints Joseph and John. A strange globe of light was seen above the church from several miles away. For believing Catholics, the apparitions held an important significance, and following the apparition, miraculous cures were reported. Even today, Knock is a location for catholic pilgrims to go to in search of healing, reconciliation and peace, or to pray for a cure.


Stonehenge

Located in southwest England, this is known as the most architecturally advanced prehistoric stone circle ever, believed to have been constructed sometime between 3000 BC and 2000 BC. However, who built it and why remains a great mystery. However, spiritual seekers believe Stonehenge contains sacred energy, and as a result, the site has been used for ceremonial purposes for hundreds of years, most notably on the summer solstice, when the stones align with the rising sun.

Credits: PA;

Enchanted Rock

Near Fredericksburg, Texas, is an enormous geological phenomenon known as a ‘batholith’, created 1.1 billion years ago when molten magma cooled and crystallised into a granite slab. The rock has been called ‘enchanted’ since the 1800s based on various legends, likely stemming from the granite's tendency to creak and groan as it naturally heats up and cools down, but legends and folklore of local Tonkawa, Apache and Comanche tribes ascribe magical and spiritual powers to the rock (hence the name Enchanted Rock). I have climbed this rock, and the miracle to me was getting to the top without collapsing!

Voltaire, back in the 1700’s once said: ‘Faith consists in believing when it is beyond the power of reason to believe.’ And across the world, too many to mention here, there are many more places that also inspire spiritual mystery, awe and fascination.

Author

Marilyn writes regularly for The Portugal News, and has lived in the Algarve for some years. A dog-lover, she has lived in Ireland, UK, Bermuda and the Isle of Man. 

Marilyn Sheridan